3 west Orange cities form partnership for economic development

February 8, 2012|By Stephen Hudak, Orlando Sentinel

Apopka, Ocoee and Winter Garden are forging a new alliance, hoping to turn their locations along the State Road 429 toll road into a partnership that builds political clout and economic opportunity in west Orange County.

Dubbed the "Tri-City Partnership," the new organization will add structure to ongoing collaborative efforts among the cities' managers, said Richard Anderson, Apopka's chief administrative officer.

"Why should we each go off in our own directions when we can accomplish more together?" he said.

The Ocoee City Commission was the first to bless the partnership, unanimously voting to commit $5,000 in seed money Tuesday night. The proposal will be presented to Winter Garden's city commission Thursday night, and the Apopka City Council will weigh the issue Feb. 15.

The other cities also are expected to kick in $5,000 each, Anderson said.

Tanja Gerhartz, economic development director for Winter Garden, said the partnership will focus on a branding campaign, business recruitment and the addition of key assets — such as a college campus and a business incubator — that would strengthen the region's economic position.

Gerhartz said the partnership also could help west Orange command more political attention. The cities have a combined population of nearly 112,000, according to the most recent U.S. Census figures.

Winter Garden City Manager Michael Bollhoefer appeared before the Ocoee commission Tuesday to pitch the proposal, offering an optimistic outlook for the region. He said the cities share assets that could be valuable tools to recruit new businesses, including Lake Apopka, the West Orange Trail and the toll road.

"It makes a lot of sense for us to work together," he said after his presentation. "We'll be able to marshal resources for our primary focus, which will be economic development along the 429 corridor. It's such a great opportunity."

Bollhoefer said the partnership initially would sell businesses on the benefits of the relatively uncongested expressway, in contrast to other clogged Central Florida roads. "We think we're a hot market, and now's the time to move," he said.

Ocoee City Commissioner Rusty Johnson endorsed the plan. "I think it's the right time and a great project" to align the cities' economic-development strategies and combine their staffs and resources, he said.

Apopka's Anderson said the cities could help promote one another.

"We're true sister cities in many ways," he said. "In the end, what helps one should benefit all."